PART 1
My mind could be playing tricks, she tries to convince herself. But a second better look changes that opinion with a massive wave of intense shock. She isn't imagining stuff. It is real. Very much.
Her stalker is aware of her panic-stricken eyes on him, but he makes no attempt to back off.
Nandini frantically obscures her dripping wet nudity with a trembling hand as she blindly gropes for the towel. By the time she makes a mad dash out of the bathroom and straight into the protective cover of her husband, she is shaking violently.
Manik straightens up on the bed and pulls his drenched wife closer. He is clueless as to what is going on.
MANIK: (surprised) Nandini? What happened?
NANDINI: (in a quaky voice) Ma---Manik---th---there's someone outside---!!!
MANIK: What? Where?
NANDINI: (points towards the bathroom) Th-there!!! Ou---outside the bathroom window! There-there was someone there!!!
Manik hastily checks out the bathroom and the outer premises in assault mode with his eyes scouring the darkness for any sudden movements and his muscles twitching for any unexpected action, but the coast is clear. It is an unusually quiet night. The eerie silence is intensified with the liberal chirps of crickets, snoring neighbours and baying street dogs.
Manik walks back in and securely latches up the entrance door. Nandini is still terrified and is now wrapped down from the torso to the knees with a thick bath towel.
MANIK: Did you see his face?
NANDINI: N-no. It was too dark. But I could see that someone was out there. And he was--- watching me... I---I don't know for how long...
She breaks down into deep, laborious heaves as her insides clench uncomfortably with this taunting memory. The girl is absolutely terrified and writhing in humiliation. Manik pulls her into his protective embrace with one swift, move.
MANIK: Listen. Don't worry. He's not going to get away with it. I promise. You trust me, right? Now just relax.
Nandini wraps her arms around him and buries her face into his chest. She did not want to close her eyes, the terrifying scene kept flashing before her.
NANDINI: (weakly) I-I don't know for how long he was there... watching me... He was watching me...
MANIK: (quietly) Come here.
He pulls her into bed and rocks her back and forth in his consoling arms, soothing and lulling her to finally relax. She is still soaked and trembling all over so Manik pulls out a fresh towel from the bed's storage drawer and mops up her dripping hair. Manik clenches his teeth at the thought of his wife having to bolt out of the shower in pure terror even before she could start off with a decent bath.
MANIK: Do you want to finish up your shower?
NANDINI: (in the negative) Mm-mm.
MANIK: You sure?
NANDINI: Hmm.
MANIK: Fine. Just lie down then. And try to get some sleep.
He gently helps her to lie down. Her body feels stiff and resistant.
NANDINI: No. I don't want to.
Manik understands. She is terrified out of her wits. So he gently kisses her on the forehead to soothe her. Nandini hides in his arms like a traumatized infant.
NANDINI: Just hold me.
Manik complies and allows her to let herself sink in to his comforting hold.
MANIK: Feeling better?
NANDINI: Hmm.
MANIK: See listen babes. I'm here. Always. There's nothing you need to worry about. Ever. Okay?
She responds to his words by drawing imaginary lines and circles on his chest with her finger.
MANIK: I'll drop a message to Cabir first thing in the morning. He'll pick up some info on this intruder. And in the meanwhile, I'll handle him.
He kisses her again to soothe her further. She looked so cute and delicate in his macho arms and this brings a smile to his lips. Fleeting images of the mesmerizing night they had comes rushing back to his thoughts. It was probably the best session of their lives. His life. It was hot and intense. She was hot and intense. Like never before. The way she had embraced and accepted the best of him... the way her passion gushed out from the depths had him tingling all over with desire and admiration once again.
But Nandini had left her thoughts in the bathroom before bolting out. And it takes several gentle caresses of Manik's warm lips from her beautiful cheeks down to her shoulder blades to snap her out of her worries. The thundering need to surrender herself to him starts to dominate over her once again. As he travels down from her shoulders to her tender yet supple breasts, her body begins to tingle with desire.
Overwhelmed with need, he rolls over onto her and continues to pamper her with his electrifying touch. Nandini's heart begins to race in response, her breathing becomes fast and shallow. He pauses for a moment and locks his admiring gaze with her mesmerizing eyes. He smiles and gently tucks the loose strands of her luscious hair behind her ear.
MANIK: (teases) Hmmm. Someone was on all cloud nine before, eh? Not bad.
Nandini giggles shyly and screws her eyes shut.
MANIK: And what was that you said back then? (pretends to think) Do it... faster!!?
Nandini hides her blushing face and giggles uncontrollably.
MANIK: Wow. I'm impressed. Someone likes it fast. Like Rajdhani Express.
Nandini continues to giggle like a happy toddler.
MANIK: So... you want to do this again?
NANDINI: (smiles) Hmm.
MANIK: (in mock surprise) What!!! Again!!? Like seriously?
NANDINI: (nods) Hmm.
MANIK: Again!!?
NANDINI: Hmm.
MANIK: (nuzzles into her shoulder and sends her into a fit of laughter) Like you want more!!!!? Huh? Really!!!?
NANDINI: Hah-hah-hah-hah!!!
They are at it again. Teasing and pampering each other with naughty talks and loving moves. Until they finally fall asleep.
THE NEXT MORNING
As usual, Nandini is the first to rise. But unlike other mornings, she is uneasy. The horrifying events from the previous night return to haunt her senseless.
She approaches the bathroom's exhaust window cautiously and peeps out through the spaces between the slanting strips of translucent glass. Her eyes investigate the premises to make sure that the coast is clear and free of perverts. In spite of getting an all-clear signal, she isn't convinced. She takes several fleeting glances at the window in the midst of brushing her teeth and showering. Never did she feel so frightened and insecure before.
MOMENTS LATER
Manik is up. It's a pleasant Sunday morning. Sunny yet cool.
Nandini heads back into the house with the newspaper.
NANDINI: Manik? Did you go out anywhere this morning?
MANIK: (looks up from his morning cuppa) Me? No? Why?
NANDINI: (distressed) Are you sure? You didn't forget to lock it up last night, did you?
MANIK: No yaar. I clearly remember latching it up. Moreover I just got up now. Why? What happened?
NANDINI: (panicky) Then who left the door and gate open!!!?
Manik thinks hard. Did I miss out to lock it? No. I'm damn sure that I did.
By now he is outside the house, investigating the premises, his eyes scouring the area for anything fishy.
Nandini is deeply disturbed.
NANDINI: Is it possible that... he came back again?
Manik looks up at her speechlessly. What worries him was this... what if... the stalker had managed to find his way into the house?
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Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
